Making changes to Victoria’s constitution has always been relatively easy. While a referendum is needed to amend the Australian federal constitution, the Victorian constitution has only required support by an absolute majority in parliament. In future, any major change to the Victorian constitution will also require a referendum. This is one result of the Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Act 2003, the most extensive set of changes to the constitution in 150 years. The reforms have reduced the potential for confict between the two houses of parliament which was a feature of Victoria’s constitution from the start. They have removed the upper house’s power to block supply bills and provide a workable process for resolving parliamentary deadlocks. They also require the upper house to respect the principle of government mandate.
Nowadays, the term ‘responsible government’ has largely been replaced by ‘accountable government’. The role of the upper house is to review the government’s actions – to hold the government accountable. Ideally, a house of review ought to be independent in viewpoint, rather than superior in power. A new, Senate-style system of voting for the upper house promises to improve the electoral chances of smaller parties and bring a broader range of community representation to parliament’s house of review.
Supporting the Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Act in parliament, Premier Steve Bracks said:
'Finally, in 2003, it can truthfully be said that the Victorian people are the framers of their own constitution. This bill has taken us the next step towards creating a stronger, fairer democracy…'
Is this naked democracy?
Illustration
Coat of arms of the Colony of Victoria, from Victoria Government Gazette, 8 January 1878
